Worcester Faces: Deborah Beaudry-Bloise

WORCESTER, MA—As part of Worcester Patch's "Faces" series, writer Tina Baxter this month talks to Deborah Beaudry-Bloise, whom she sat with recently on a sunny afternoon on the patio at Vincent's.

Deborah Beaudry-Bloise is a woman who sits in the center ring of every music and arts event in Worcester, a woman who's easy with her cheers and support of the creativity that sprouts eternal in Wormtown. Born in California, she grew up in Southbridge. Around 1989, she moved into an attic apartment near Elm Park in Worcester and worked at TJ Maxx while attending school at the Wilford Beauty Academy.

At only 16, she frequented the Exit Club on Millbury Street, stopping by and waiting until the doors opened to help set up tables and chairs before the bands showed up to play. That seemingly marked the start of her integration into the music scene, and the spring toward bringing bands such as Faith No More and Motorhead into local Worcester clubs.

She then started working at Ralph’s Diner in Worcester around 1992 and met her husband Rick Blaze there in 1994. She married Blaze, of Rick Blaze and the Ballbusters, in 1999.

When asked if she still enjoys living in Worcester, she quotes the TV Show ‘Twin Peaks": Worcester is “a clean place, reasonably priced.

"I’m not sure I can leave. Worcester has a smallish town feel but it’s a city with plenty to do. There is so much going on with stART on the Street and many different collectives such as the Firehouse. The kids are doing all right."

The Firehouse is an actual Firehouse that was purchased privately and the residents host small music and artistic events. Addressing nay-sayers who bash Worcester, Beaudry-Bloise says that “Worcester is less scary than other places. There is a lot of stuff for everyone to do.”

Dishing out some praise toward businessman Cliff Rucker, who brought the hockey team The Railers to Worcester, Beaudry-Bloise pointed out that “folks that have a little extra money could attach themselves to the creative folks in the city and amazing things can and will happen. I mean, holy s&$%…it’s amazing when you look around.”

She'd rather be a "big fish in a small pond," volunteering for such organizations as stART on the Street or helping out venues such as Ralph's, working with creative groups to establish and encourage them to keep going.

“Support is free,” she cracks.

Deborah "Never Say the Woo, but do call it what it is: WORMTOWN" Beaudry-Bloise one of the true souls and beats of the good heart that is Worcester.

Tina Baxter is a resident of Worcester. A Human Resources Professional by day, she digs into the heart of the Commonwealth each month with a profile of a Worcester person who stands out. Have a suggestion? Email her at tinabaxter508@yahoo.com.

Photo Credit: Jeréme Lawrénce